COPENHAGEN, 12 June 2013 (RUS|FRE|TR) – More than 260 parliamentarians from across 57 countries are preparing to visit Istanbul and debate security and human rights policies at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly's 22nd Annual Session.
The meeting hosted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey runs 29 June – 3 July at Istanbul's Lutfi Kirdar International Convention and Exhibition Center, six blocks from Taksim Square. The session follows a growing interest in Turkey at the OSCE PA, which first observed the country's parliamentary elections in 2011, visited Syrian refugees camps in 2012, and has closely monitored the recent demonstrations.
Delegates from Europe, Asia and North America will conclude their meeting by electing officers and adopting a declaration expected to cover:
- Protection of fundamental freedoms, including freedom online,
- The negative consequences of economic austerity measures,
- The need for releasing political prisoners in the OSCE region,
- Creation of binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions, and
- Improvements in military transparency and ratification of the UN Arms Trade Treaty.
The Annual Session, including committee debates and votes, are open to the press and public. Further information, committee reports and resolutions are available here.
Additionally, members have introduced specific timely resolutions covering the following issues:
- The Arctic
- Belarus
- Border security
- Child protection
- Citizenship issues
- Combating racism
- Cyber Security
- Energy efficiency
- Environmental aspects of energy
- Green economy
- Guantanamo
- Human rights in Russia
- Intercountry adoption
- Kazakhstan
- Kurds in Turkey
- Local authorities' role in post-conflict
- Media freedom
- OSCE reform
- Palestinian National Authority in the OSCE
- Religious freedom
- Strengthening civil society
- Syria
- Trafficking victim watchfulness
- Transdniestria
- Water management
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is comprised of 323 parliamentarians from 57 countries spanning, Europe, Central Asia and North America. The Assembly provides a forum for parliamentary dialogue, monitors elections, and strengthens international co-operation to uphold commitments on political, security, economic, environmental and human rights issues.
